The spring cleanup project, led by Paul Sutton of the Boston Parks and Recre­ation Depart­ment, was held during Senior Week as a com­mu­nity ser­vice day for soon-​​to-​​be graduates.

Ryan Van Dam, a mar­keting major from West­ford, Mass., used a pickaxe and pair of lop­pers to uproot thorny rose bushes, which have been known to grow tall enough to block sunlight.

“There are thou­sands of roots growing every­where,” he declared. “We have to get under the roots and loosen them up.”

Van Dam enjoyed the labor-​​intensive work. “Why not give back?” he said, noting that he has painted murals for a South End ele­men­tary school as part of a com­mu­nity ser­vice project with Northeastern’s chapter of the Society of Col­le­giate Scholars. “We’re out­side on a nice day.”

Kayla DeVin­centis, a health sci­ence major who uprooted garlic mus­tard plants, agreed with her classmate.

“We should give back to an area where we spent the last five years,” said DeVin­centis, a Ver­mont native. “Spending a couple of hours helping out is the least I could do.”

“I have an affinity toward the area and it’s very impor­tant for us to give back,” added Chuck Berds, a phar­macy major and former pres­i­dent of Northeastern’s Res­i­dent Stu­dent Association.

He said he joined the Senior Class Advi­sory Board to build cama­raderie with his peers. “I wanted my final year to be all about having fun with my class,” he said.

Sutton praised the three-​​hour effort. “The stu­dents helped keep the area clean and attrac­tive and ready for the har­vesting of fruit,” he said, noting that the wood­lands are home to some 75 wild apple and pear trees.

About the Writer

Jason Kornwitz, AS' 08, has called Northeastern home since 2003. In his spare time, he enjoys playing sports, watching pretentious movies, and cooking kingly breakfasts. Follow him on Twitter @jasonkornwitz.

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